Local News: March 12, 2024

- Cornell makes changes to controversial Interim Expressive Activity Policy, faculty hold rally calls for it to be scrapped -

Cornell University has made changes to its controversial “Interim Expressive Activity Policy”.  A statement issued on Monday addressed three aspects of the policy that have been widely criticized. Candles shorter than 6” will be permitted on campus. The interim policy banned any open flames making any candlelight vigils a violation. 

Language around some other points is changed. Written permission to post flyers and other signs is not required in designated areas. If they are in unapproved areas they will be removed. 

Concerning protests or rallies the statement says prior registration is not required but “strongly recommended”. The original policy said events with more than 50 people were “expected” to be registered. 

Other criticized parts of the interim policy have not changed. The University says the requirement that posters include the name of the sponsoring individual, department, or unit is standard practice and so it was not changed. 

The Administration says other “time, place, and manner” policies will stay. Those policies prohibit activities that interrupt the educational or business activities of the school. They include requirements that signs or posters larger than 8 ½ x 11 must be made of a non-flammable material, that signs or banners cannot be attached to sticks, and that amplified sound can only be used during one hour the day on certain outside areas. 

On Tuesday afternoon over 60 faculty, students, and staff gathered in front of the main administration building to protest the policy. Many held up large poster-sized signs on poles in violation of the interim policy. Speakers criticized the way the policy was developed saying the process violated the University’s own governance regulations. They said the policies stifle speech rather than protect it and that the effect of the policy is to suppress speech by the most vulnerable members of the university community and those who criticize the university itself.

On Friday, about 8 students will have disciplinary hearings for allegedly violating the interim policy.